"It's time for somebody to be in the White House who understands the challenges we face in this country," Easley said at a rally in Raleigh with Clinton at his side. "They are significant. I never ever thought the United States of America could get in as much trouble as we have over the last 7 or 8 years."

Easley, a popular two term governor who is unable to run for re-election because of term limits, also praised Clinton for her persistence.

"I've been accused of being persistent, and down right aggravating…but this lady right here makes Rocky Balboa look like a pansy," Easley said.

The endorsement gives the New York senator a symbolic boost in the state she is trailing Barack Obama by double digits. Easley is particularly popular with white, working class voters - a constituency that has favored Clinton in other primary states. He is the second superdelegate from North Carolina to back Clinton. Six North Carolina superdelegates have endorsed Obama.

Easley is a former backer of John Edwards' White House bid.

A recent ARG poll shows Obama leading Clinton by 10 points in the state.

soundoff(358 Responses)

Sen. Clinton does "get it", she understands the challenges and how to rise to meet them. to Quote a great poet:
Rise Hillary Rise!

April 29, 2008 09:57 am at 9:57 am |

melisa

so great i hopeful so for john edwards who support to hillary soon.

April 29, 2008 09:58 am at 9:58 am |

Johnny Boy

I can say this; I do not want someone in office who "understands" my situation, I want someone in office who will freaking ACT! So she goes to DC and says I "understand" and that's about all you will get folks! I think she is LYING AGAIN. Looser queen of america.

April 29, 2008 09:58 am at 9:58 am |

Peter Paul Vs. Clinton

Peter Paul Vs. Clinton, Nafta, $800,000 Columbian trade.....enough said. We as a country have to do better, we have to progress, we have to become enlightened. The Clintons would be a backslide for the country. Wake up America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 29, 2008 09:58 am at 9:58 am |

Phil-Little Rock

Coming from a pansy himself, that's an easy observation to make.

OBAMA '08

April 29, 2008 09:58 am at 9:58 am |

Nancy

Well, he has nothing to lose; but he is a loser. His endorsement won't put her in the White House. Obama supporters are smarter than him.

O8AMA

April 29, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |

Kel from Auburn, AL

Hillary, will you please stop talking about Rocky, already!?!?

What with all this turmoil in the world and our nation, shouldn't we be talking about non-fictional issues that matter to the people that can elect you?

April 29, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |

honkey white guy from cali

No surprise! Much like Ed Randell he has been a corrupt nut in the Clinton machine for many any years! Better watch it though the election fraud case filed in California against Sen Clinton is already being set up so that Ed Randell can take the fall for the Clinton's! It is just a matter of time they will throw you under the bus just like everyone else

Go Obama 08 Yes We Can

April 29, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |

Toni

Here come the "Easley must be a racist" innuendo from the Obama supporters. They've been playing the race card so frequently there just has to be more than 52 in that deck.

Curious why its not racist when only single digits of blacks vote for Hillary but it must be racially driven when less than 50% of whites vote for Obama?

April 29, 2008 09:59 am at 9:59 am |

Scott, Charlotte

The article says it all :

"Easley is the second superdelegate from North Carolina to back Clinton. Six North Carolina superdelegates have endorsed Obama."

NC supports Obama.

April 29, 2008 10:00 am at 10:00 am |

Marc

Welcome aboard, Governor! You're on the winning team!

President Hillary Clinton 2008/2012

April 29, 2008 10:00 am at 10:00 am |

Ronald

He wouldn't win reelection anyway. He was safe to endorse her because he, like she, is a has been.

April 29, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |

Florida For Obama

No, she's more like Mike Tyson (after prison) ---> Nuts

April 29, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |

bob

HILLARY 08

HILLARY 08

HILLARY 08

HILLAR 08

NOBAMA YOU AND YOUR CAMPAIGN PLAYED THE RACE CARD

ON THE CLINTONS IN JAN. AND NOW REV. WRIGHT IS PLAYING

IT ON YOU....ITS CALLED....

KHARMA

April 29, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |

Theresa

Excellent choice...I hope other super delegates are paying attention.

April 29, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |

proud army and navy mom

yes old girl does kind of look like a pit bull dog

April 29, 2008 10:01 am at 10:01 am |

Frank N. Sense

Gov. Easley would know all about pansies....

April 29, 2008 10:02 am at 10:02 am |

Chelsea

Mike Easley is a crook and so is his Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue. It's a good thing he's not up for re-electio ncause many of us in NC would not be voting for him.

April 29, 2008 10:02 am at 10:02 am |

Charlotte

She is a fighter who knows which wheel to grease to get the wagon moving in the right direction. We all have hope for a brighter tomorrow, but know it will take courage to get through today. Hillary has the courage and the intestinal fortitude to get it done...

April 29, 2008 10:02 am at 10:02 am |

a basketball comparison

Obama:
Misses once, then shoots again and swishes it. Understates his abilities and doesn't boast. Doesn't make accusations about his opponent. Makes no pretense about connection to Indiana or North Carolina. Signs ball but suggests the signature doesn't matter, then forgets about it. Moves on to next experience. Wise voters recognize his judgment and skill and his understated but genuine strength.

Hillary:
Misses, but claims she is more qualified because she was there when her husband made it, and saw him shoot it a thousand times. Then will accuse opponent of not having what it takes because he missed his shot (falsely implying he didn't make his second). Also will claim she grew up in a basketball family with relatives from Indiana and North Carolina. Will make a similar statement about the unimportance of the signature on the ball, then will later work out a backroom deal with an overseas broker to sell the ball and make a huge illegal profit. Refers back to same incident over and over of how her opponent missed, claiming it means so much. Unwise voters are thrilled with her "strength" and "experience".

April 29, 2008 10:03 am at 10:03 am |

BCarlisle, San Ramon CA

Hillary You Look Fabulous!! WOW...you look so rested, you must be on cloud 9 with all the polls and pundits turning your way. It was bound to happen. When someone doesn't quit and keeps on plugging along you finally get through. We are all getting so tired of Obama's smoke screens and lies, I for one never believed them and finally a lot of others are seeing the truth. You are the one that can lead this nation forward, you already look presidential! We Love You Hillary!!!

April 29, 2008 10:03 am at 10:03 am |

Matrix

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and a little boy are on a plane. The pilot runs out of the cockpit and states the plane has lost all power and is going to crash. The pilot states there are only three parachutes grabs one and jumps out. Hillary says, Women and children first! grabs one and jumps. Barack says to the little boy to take the last parachute and jump. The little boy says, no Mr. Obama we both have a parachute, that blonde lady grabbed my backpack!

April 29, 2008 10:03 am at 10:03 am |

BCarlisle, San Ramon CA

Hillary You Look Fabulous!! WOW…you look so rested, you must be on cloud 9 with all the polls and pundits turning your way. It was bound to happen. When someone doesn't quit and keeps on plugging along you finally get through. We are all getting so tired of Obama's smoke screens and lies, I for one never believed them and finally a lot of others are seeing the truth. You are the one that can lead this nation forward, you already look presidential! We Love You Hillary!!!